February 15, 2016 - Meeting Minutes

 

Brewster Village Council met in regular session with Mayor Mike Schwab presiding.

 

7:00 P.M. – CALL TO ORDER

 

Council Members bowed their heads for the invocation provided by Clerk-Treasurer

Kris King followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Mike Schwab, Mayor

Dale Fox, Council Member                 Dave Godwin, Council Member

Chuck Hawk, Council Member           Tom Hilliard, Council Member          

Paul Mackey, Council Member           Steven Tharp, Jr., Council Member    

 

John Anthony, Village Solicitor           Rob Pauley, Village Administrator

Kris King, Clerk-Treasurer                  Ryan Swan, Electric Lineman            

Keith Creter, Police Captain               Chris Colucy, Fire Chief

Rick Patterson, Street Superintendent

Mike Maybaugh, WWTP Superintendent

 

Mayor Mike Schwab asked if there were any additions or deletions to the February 1, 2016 Council meeting minutes. 

 

COUNCIL MEMBER FOX MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER THARP and motion carried to accept the minutes as presented.  The vote: All yes. 

 

COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HILLIARD and motion carried to accept the bills for the amount of $94,915.28.  The vote: All yes.

 

Amanda Nodo and Chelsey Towle of the Navarre Trail Towpath YMCA attended to ask if Brewster had a need for child care in the Village.  They are also looking for community service projects.  Due to the size of their facility, they are looking for buildings to house the child care in the Fairless School District.  Mayor Schwab asked how the Village could help them.  Council Member Godwin suggested some of the churches in Brewster may have space available.  The Mayor will set up a meeting to further go over the wants and needs for setting up a district wide before and after school program.  Council Member Hawk stated those involved with the local churches could sit down and talk with them.

 

Ken Killian, 304 1^st St. SW, stated he is a 56 year resident of the Village of Brewster.  He has known a lot of the Mayors and Council Members over the years.  He thought what was put in the paper was just wrong.  He stated there is a way to handle these kind of situations and putting them in the newspaper, on Facebook and twitter is not it.  He tries to support the Police Department, he tries to support the Fire Department, now he is here to support every one of you guys.    Beating yourself up in the paper makes the whole group look bad.  The Mayor thanked him for his comments.

 

Audience in attendance: Cindy Mackey, Linda Taylor, Scott King, Sidney Colucy, and Ann Margaret Lambo.

 

CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCES:

ORDINANCE 08-2016: An Ordinance modifying and adopting travel expenses for village employees and village officials was given third reading.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FOX and motion carried to pass Ordinance 08-2016 as presented.  The vote: All yes. 

 

Second Reading: A Resolution amending the Village Zoning Code by Adopting Chapter 506: Alternative Energy Systems.

 

First Reading: An Ordinance authorizing consent legislation for the resurfacing of State Route 93 by the Ohio Department of Transportation within the Village limits in 2019.

 

First Reading: An Ordinance amending Ordinance 16-2012 that established fees, set conditions, and outlined the procedures for the use of Village Park Facilities.

 

An Ordinance authorizing a Power Purchase Agreement for a Behind the Meter Solar Energy Project.

 

An Ordinance adopting an Employee Stand By program and modifying employee call out pay and adding both to the employee handbook. 

 

FIRE DEPARTMENT: Chief Chris Colucy

Chief Colucy is requesting Jay Lewis be appointed as a probationary firefighter pending a physical, background check, and drug screen.  He would appreciate if he would be approved tonight.

 

There is a Local Government Safety Capital Grant Program via the Ohio Development Services Agency.  This grant could be used for the purchase of a new ambulance.  We are scheduled to replace our oldest ambulance in 2017.  The grant awards up to $100,000 with a required 10% match for the Village.  Council Member Tharp asked what the cost was for the grant writer.  Chief Colucy stated it costs $750 to write it, if awarded it becomes 8% of the award with a cap of $1,500.  He hasn’t compiled specifications for the new ambulance out yet but it will cost between $150,000 and $200,000.  The higher percentage the Village puts towards the ambulance, the more points awarded in the grant.

 

Chief Colucy updated Council on the derailment and tanker fire at the W&LE Railway yard.  He told Council that if they wanted to know what was going on, to contact him; do not go on Facebook.  Everything went smoothly and how it should have.  Marathon Fire put out the fire with two extinguishers and plugged the leak.  That is what they are trained to do.  He is tired of hearing all the misinformation on Facebook.  The evacuation followed the HAZMAT guidelines for the evacuation of ½ mile, went to ¾ mile as an added safety measure.  W&LE personnel were on scene within 15 minutes.  Eric Witting from the school was called and he went over and opened the high school.  The Red Cross was at the high school.  It was coordinated every step of the way.  Stark County EMA is considering this incident as a training for 2016.  Everything is going to be reviewed and the disaster plan will be amended where it is seen fit.  Council Member Godwin asked about reverse 911.  Chief Colucy stated RED Center has reverse 911 capabilities.  Council Member Godwin stated we may be able to have people register for text messaging.  Mayor Schwab stated they did a nice job and thanked them.  Council Member Godwin asked who donated food and wanted it put in the record.  Chief Colucy stated the (Stark County’s) Fire Department Rehab Unit, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Georgio’s donated food for the firemen.  Council Member Godwin thanked everyone for their good work.

 

Chief Colucy provided an article concerning firefighters getting cancer from contaminants they breathe in from their uniforms after a fire.  He would like Council to consider expanding the Fire Department building in order to house showers to decontaminate themselves.  Their dirty, contaminated clothes are being taken home in their personal vehicles.  The Firemen’s Association already purchased lockers from the auction at the elementary school for firefighters to keep a change of clothing.

 

Chief Colucy asked if Council was going to allow the Firemen’s Association to serve beer at the festival.  He has bands ready to come.  Chief Colucy thought after last year he would not have to come back every year to ask permission.  Council Member Tharp stated he was fine with it as long as they do what they did last year.  This included insurance and TIPS training.  Chief Colucy stated the TIPS training is good for three years.  Council Member Hilliard also thought they were changing the ordinance last year so the Chief would not have to come to Council but was waiting for the Solicitor to give Council guidance.  Council Member Godwin stated they have to come to Council each year for an exception to the ordinance otherwise anyone could come in and serve beer.

 

POLICE DEPARTMENT: Captain Creter (Chief Porter excused)

Captain Creter stated he was going to give an update on the derailment and fire but felt that Chief Colucy did a good job covering everything.  He said they were under the command of the Fire Department with the evacuation.  Detective Taylor was on duty and responded quickly.  Three residents refused to leave and one resident was missed.  They had a meeting with the resident that was missed.  He felt they operated at 98% or better.  The reverse 911 has issues with people no longer having home phones and not registering their cell phones.  Council Member Godwin said the school has a “remind list”.  One text would go out to everyone.  It is pretty easy to put on the website.  Council Member Godwin said they did a good job.

 

Ohio LEADS did a system audit on the department.  There are security issues that need to be addressed by making improvements in the building.  There will be new security rules in the building.  No one will have access beyond the main lobby unless they have security clearance and have a security card.  There will be a change of keys.  Everyone will have to access through the front door.   They must be in compliance by March 28^th, 2016.  It was a good audit and the auditor will be visiting and going through the procedures and the tapes to ensure compliance over the next couple of years.  They are in the process of revamping the evidence room, changing the key and putting in a drop slot.  Officer Truman has done a very good job.  The janitor will even have to be cleared and not allowed in certain areas of the building.  He expects his next visit to be from BCI to inspect the evidence room and it will be in compliance.  New protocols have been setup for taking citations to court.  They created three new policies.  They are up to 96 policies.

 

Council Member Hilliard noticed a significant increase in the part time hours.  Capt. Creter stated there has been extra coverage for vacations and sick absences.  He asked if these hours were mostly during the day shift.  Captain Creter said yes but also some weekends.  Detective Taylor has also had some shifts covered during his LEADS training.

 

Council Member Tharp asked what the cost is for the new door and a drop slot for evidence.  Captain Creter stated it would cost around $1,600.  This will ensure that only authorized personnel will have access to the evidence room and Officer Truman can come in and log it.

 

MAYOR: Mike Schwab

A big thank you to all Village residents who demonstrated patience and understanding during the recent derailment, the Brewster Fire Department and the other Fire Departments that provided manpower and equipment, the Brewster Police Department, the W&LE Railway, Marathon Fire, Stark Hazmat, Stark County Emergency Agencies, Stark County Sheriff, Ohio State Patrol, REACT, and many more for their assistance.

 

Would advise that Chief Colucy, Chief Porter, Captain Creter, VA Pauley, and Mayor Schwab have a meeting scheduled with W&LE Railway Vice-President Jonathon Chastek on Tuesday, February 16^th to review everyone’s response to the derailment and to do due diligence and look at possible improvements to each’s role in any future event.  Similar meetings will be requested with Brewster Cheese, Shearer Foods, Brewster Parke, and so forth to make sure all are on the same page before an event.  We will be bringing proposals to Council for such instruments as reverse 911, and so forth.  He is sure there will be a cost involved.  People will have to provide contact numbers if they wish to be contacted.

 

Legal 101 – Solicitor Anthony discussed ORC 713.28 covering referendums and initiative amendments and the exceptions to them.  These allow citizens to introduce laws and reverse laws.  He covered the requirements for each.  The laws would then be voted on by the people at the next general election.

 

Solicitor Anthony is currently reviewing the Fire Department’s Standard Operating Guidelines (SOG’s) draft provided by Chief Colucy; HR Consultant John Barkan is also going to review SOG’s and Solicitor will be speaking with John Barkan before he gets back to Council. 

 

Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Richards of 5 Wabash Ave. S.: Concerned about all the rail traffic adjacent to their home; cited the change in the type of rail traffic, the recent change in excessive noise and vibration; they have suggested the W&LE Railway or the Village purchase their home; they met with Chief Porter, Captain Creter, VA Pauley, and Mayor Schwab.

 

VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR: VA Robert Pauley

Administrator’s report for period 02/02/2016 thru 02/15/2016:

              

-       Street department will begin the Annual Spring Cleanup April 18^th thru 21^st. Residents are asked to have items at curbside for pickup. As usual, mattresses, tires, automotive items, refrigerator/freezers, electronic including TV’s and monitors, paints/oils/solvents and household hazardous wastes will not be collected.

 

-       Regarding consideration of change in park/facility deposit/rental fees: 2015 14 rentals of which 5 were non-residents; 2014 – 7 rentals of which 3 were non-residents.

 

-       AMP’s 2016 Council Orientation Kit (hardcopy) was received and is available for review in the Administrator’s and Mayor’s office, Electronic version was distributed by administrator to all council members, clerk-treasurer and solicitor.

 

-       The 2015 Wholesale Power Costs summary (compiled by AMP) for the village municipal power system was received and distributed to all members of council and large power customers. Important items of note are that the village used 2.1% more energy than in 2014 (3.3% more than forecasted for 2015) and power rates were 16% lower than forecasted for 2015 (10% lower than 2014 rates). It is expected that this lower-than-forecasted trend for the village’s power costs to continue with the lock-in of the 2 1-MW blocks of base-load remaining requirements power for 2016 & 2017 at considerable savings over the expiring base-load term contracts. At least one large power customer has called and checked regarding their power cost bills being less than their budget forecasts. This is another benefit of being a public power community.

 

-       McKinley Ave. Line Distribution Circuit Rebuild – notice to proceed was given to awarded contractor (Thompson Electric) with mobilization to begin February 29, 2016. All pole line materials have been ordered by the village and are currently being received. Coordination meeting with Shearers Food primary staff (director sustainability, plant operations and maintenance operations) was held 2/12/2016. The Director, Sustainability & Compliance for Shearers Foods extended an invitation to all the members of Council and the Fire Department’s command officers tour the plant and process lines and see the changes made as part of the new fires suppression system.

 

-       Sweetwater project - Hazen & Sawyer received final O&M manuals from Kenmore Construction. Awaiting compilation of final change order, Change Order #3.

 

-       Received notice of 2016 Tree City and Tree Campus Award program to be held on April 26, 2016 in Wooster, OH. Cost to attend is $25.00, those interested should coordinate with the clerk-treasurer. Deadline for registration is February 26, 2016.

 

-       Received communication from resident asking that Council consider going to single waste hauler. (copy attached)

 

-       RCAP (Ms. Sherry Loos) conducted a Rate-Setting Short Course for Officials at the Utility Committee worksession on February 8, 2016. Following on this presentation Ms. Loos will be available to present the final rate study on March 14, 2016. As there is a Committee of the Whole worksession (personnel realignment) currently scheduled for 6:00 p.m., I would recommend at Ms. Loos be added to the agenda that evening at 6:30 p.m. to present the rate study.

-       Water department, with street department completed water main break repairs on Park Dr. SE (6” main) near Main St. on January 20, 2016.

-       Received quote from Reilly Sweeping for 2016 street sweeping. Initial – April - $2,234, Prior to Festival – May - $1,936, Prior to July 4^th - $1,641, Prior to Labor Day – August - $1,641, Prior to Thanksgiving – November - $1,641. (attached) What is council’s pleasure on street sweeping.

-       Barkan & Assoc. – As John is unable to be at this evening’s council meeting, his cover letter & 2016 retainer agreement was forwarded to all members of council. As the proposed 2016 retainer agreement would be effective 1 March, 2016 – how does council wish to proceed? (copy attached).

 

-       I am blessed to have had the opportunity to work some outstanding members of council, staff and department heads. This concludes my final report.

 

VILLAGE MAYOR: Mike Schwab

Mayor Schwab requested direction on the solar project.  The property cost has risen from $6,500 to $13,000 an acre, the surveyor will be $4,500 to $5,000, there will be legal fees, and the cost of a property purchase from the school (if they are willing to sell).  He stated that he thinks the Village is spending too much for the possible property purchase..

 

On February 8^th, Village Administrator Rob Pauley submitted his resignation to the Mayor’s Office effective March 4^th, 2016.  Mayor Schwab stated he found VA Pauley to be a very intelligent individual and he has a number of assets and abilities that he brings to the table.  They butted heads when it came to issues involving Village employees and the completion of some projects.  He continued with a reading of a section of the ORC stating the VA is under the general supervision and control of the Mayor and as such he feels the VA should reflect the philosophy of the Mayor.  Mayor Schwab stated he was elected by the people of the Village, not the Council or the Village employees, and he must answer to those people.  Mayor Schwab was not happy with how the VA handled employees stating he felt that VA Pauley worked at the employees and not with employees and that’s where we have our issues.  The Mayor thought they had turned the corner over this.  He never tried to fire him and he never tried to talk him into resigning. He stated that the article in the newspaper and the post on Facebook really saddened him.  He feels that whoever is elected Mayor and sits in that chair should be treated with more respect than what was exhibited in the newspaper and on Facebook.  The Mayor stated Council Member Mackey had urged him to request that Council fire VA Pauley several times over the last three months.  The Mayor did not feel that was fair to VA Pauley.  What Council Member Mackey said in the paper undermined the income tax levy being discussed at the committee meetings and hurt the Village tremendously.  He stated that as adults, we needed to sit down face-to-face and work out our problems.  Mayor Schwab also told Council Member Tharp that he took potshots on Facebook that were not deserved.  The Mayor stated that what Council Member Tharp said basically called him stupid and envious of anyone with a college education and that he felt inferior to them.  The Mayor stated he has a cell phone that Council Member Tharp could have called, several email addresses that Council Member Tharp could have contacted him at, and had actually sent out an email that explained some of the issues and Council Member Tharp did not  reply.  The Mayor is not concerned whether Council Member Tharp likes him or not, the Mayor position deserves more respect.  He doesn’t understand why Council Member Tharp wrote this.  He stated that this has set the Village back and done a lot of damage and he doesn’t know how he can repair this.  It’s a shame. All he had to do is ask him and he would have answered all of Council Member Tharp’s questions.  But instead he put his comments on Facebook.  His family has to read this.  When Council Member Mackey started to speak, Mayor Schwab stopped him saying this was his turn to speak as Council Member Mackey had his forum in the newspaper.  The Mayor stated he didn’t think he had an explanation.  Council Member Mackey said he did and that the Mayor knew it.

 

With the vacancy of the VA position, someone needs to fill this position until a new administrator can be appointed.  The Mayor recommended that Dan Klein, who served as interim Village Administrator when VA Hartman retired, be appointed again.

 

January fire pay = $ 5,728.47.

 

The payment from FirstEnergy has not been received.  There also has been no word on the easement assignments.

 

The 2015 Annual Financial Report has been submitted to the state.  Public notice has been sent to the Far Corner and the Independent.

 

The Tree City USA awards ceremony will be held in the City of Wooster this year on Tuesday, April 26^th.  Anyone wishing to attend must let me know by Wednesday, February 24^th.

 

A diversity class will be held on Tuesday, February 23^rd for those employees that were unable to attend the class last June.         

 

Charles E. Harris and Associates will be auditing the Village starting on March 14^th.  They plan to be here that entire week plus the week of March 28^th.                               

 

COMMITTEES or COUNCIL REPORTS: The Goal of any committee meeting is to discuss an issue or proposal and to provide, by a consensus of the committee members, ONE recommendation to Council

Utility Committee meeting was conducted on February 8^th by Sherri Loos of RCAP to review utility rate structures; tentatively Utility Committee meeting in March; Motion and vote are required.

 

Councilmen Mackey and Fox and Mayor Schwab attended Stark Prosecutor’s and Stark Regional Planning 2016 Stark Law Governmental Seminar on February 6^th; presentation was made by our own Attorney Anthony: Chickens and Junk Cars.

 

Council Member Hawk reported on the Finance Committee Meeting held at 6:00pm this evening.  Additional revenue for the Police and Street Departments was discussed.  Additional figures will be compiled and another meeting will be scheduled.

 

February 23^rd: Diversity Training Sessions with employees is scheduled at 1pm and 7pm.  Council Members are welcome to attend.

 

March 7^th at 6:30pm: Public Hearing for the proposed Zoning Amendment: Alternative Energy Systems.

 

March 14^th at 6:00pm: Council of the Whole-Village Personnel Realignment

 

March 21^st at 6:00pm: Council of the Whole-Village Personnel Cell Phone Policy

 

EXPENDITURE REQUESTS from past Meetings:          

 

Mayor: Should Village prepare to submit applications for the next Round of Issue II funding due to be submitted in September of 2016?  In 2015, Park Street and the Underpass Waterline.

 

Council appointment of two residents to the Village Board of Income Tax Review; Mayor to appoint one additional member of three-member Board.

 

OLD or NEW BUSINESS: (Council Rules dictate a one meeting review period for expenditures, unless deemed an emergency) 

Council Member Mackey stated he stands by what he said to the paper.  He stated to the Mayor if he was unhappy with VA Pauley’s performance then he should buy his contract out and let him go.  Council Member Mackey stated the performance review asked for VA Pauley’s resignation.  Mayor Schwab stated if VA Pauley could not change his approach then he should submit his resignation.  Council Member Mackey stated he has tried to get the two of them to talk several times over the last two years.  They sit 10 feet apart and never spoke.  He has seen it and he has watched it.  He stated the Mayor needs to use some management skills and take charge.  He said not to knock on him or anyone else, he has just as much skin in the game.  Mayor Schwab stated that the Mayor should have the ability to set the tone for how the VA treats the employees.  He has tried many times to get the VA to treat the employees with respect.  The Mayor offered to disclose the four events that were in the performance evaluation but does not want to embarrass him.  Council Member Mackey stated that it would not embarrass the VA or anyone else.  Mayor Schwab stated he can advise the audience and newspaper to request the information.  It is in his personnel file.  Mayor Schwab stated that the newspaper is not the forum for problems within the Village.  Council Member Mackey stated that there is more here than meets the eye.  Mayor Schwab agreed.  Council Member Mackey asked what more he could have tried. Mayor Schwab feels that his efforts have been undermined and arguing is not to be done in public. Mayor Schwab stated that every meeting there are items brought up and then stated that the item is an administrative duty.  Those duties are between the VA and the Mayor.  Council Member Mackey stated he got involved because he cares for this Village and the Village isn’t running as it should.  Mayor Schwab stated what Council Member Mackey was doing was undermining his attempt to convince the VA to work with the employees.  Council Member Mackey did not agree.  He stated he was simply trying to get this process running in a more efficient manner.  He stated he will continue to work with the VA if he decides to continue with his three year contract.  Council Member Godwin wanted VA Pauley to say why he was resigning.  VA Pauley stated he would not argue on the floor.  Mayor Schwab stated the VA had too much class to talk about it and so does he.  Mayor Schwab stated they don’t agree on things and that council has interfered with them working it out.  Council Member Tharp stated that was “bull****” and Council Member Mackey said “it was crap and the Mayor knew it”.  Council Member Mackey said that he sat down here almost every day and he saw what was going on.  Mayor Schwab stated he knows he is here every day and that he eats up about four hours of every day.  If left alone, the Mayor feels he and the VA could have worked things out.  Council Member Mackey stated they very seldom ever spoke.  He and Council Member Godwin have tried to get them to talk and they very seldom did.  Mayor Schwab stated they have a very different version of what reality is.

 

Council Member Hilliard asked about the proposed contract renewal for John Barkan.  He wanted to go into executive session.  Council Member Godwin stated he is not an employee but it didn’t matter to him.  Council Member Fox stated it is not whether they want to or not but if they are allowed.  Council Member Hilliard wanted to know what was being recommended.  The Mayor stated none of the projects have been completed.  Council Member Hawk stated he does not feel comfortable voting on this until he has more of an understanding of what Mr. Barkan has accomplished and what he is doing.  He doesn’t want to spend any more of the Village’s money until he knows what is going on.  Council Member Tharp asked that Mayor Schwab request a report from Mr. Barkan.

 

Council Member Hilliard asked about setting up a meeting to discuss the Employee realignment the VA was recommending.  It was stated that there is a Council of the Whole meeting on March 14^th at 6:00pm to discuss it.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HILLIARD to no longer pursue the Solar Project at this time due to the growing expenses and concerns of the Mayor.  Council Member Hawk would like to slow it down and get all the facts together.  Council Member Mackey stated this is a long-term asset.  He shook hands with the owners of the property.  It was a gentlemen’s agreement and he has a real problem just walking away.  He stated there are three investors calling nearly every day willing to invest.  They are willing to put up 7 to 9 million dollars.  This is a golden opportunity for energy independence in the future.  Ten to fifteen years down the road we may look at this as a wise investment.  He said it’s not costing us all that much more money.  It is money we earned selling the 69Kv transmission line.  Council Member Hawk stated he just wanted to slow down and make sure the school is willing to sell the needed property at a cost that the Village can agree to.  He wants to wait until we have all the costs.  This is like going and buying a car without knowing the price.  He agrees with the importance of the handshake.  He sold his business that way.  He said we should not move forward until we know we have the school property.  Council Member Godwin is concerned about who is going to be hired as Village Administrator.  He (the Mayor) might hire someone that doesn’t know anything about solar.  VA Pauley stated the value in the Solar is the costs avoided.  It is behind the meter power.  He went on to explain some of the aspects of the cost of power.  Council Member Hilliard stated there wasn’t supposed to be any handshake until the pending sale from the school was completed.  Council Member Mackey stated that the seller knows that.  Council Member Godwin reiterated that no one knows who the Mayor will hire. Council Member Tharp stated Council Member Mackey, the Mayor, and the VA are all right.  He doesn’t take that lightly.  He sat down with VA Pauley and went over the benefits of the Solar Field.  He thinks this is something we should keep in our periphery.  He has no problem stepping back and taking a look at it.  This project was proposed at no cost to the Village and is now up to $156,000 and he takes that very seriously.  VA Pauley stated Council has the chance to do something exceptional here.  He stated that this project was started before he even got here.  Council Member Tharp asked if the money from the sale able to be used for anything.  VA Pauley stated it has to be a capital infrastructure purchase on the electric side.  Council Member Tharp withdrew his motion.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER FOX MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN and motion passed to hold a Council of the Whole meeting on March 14^th at 6:30pm to go over the rate proposal from RCAP.  Council Member Godwin doesn’t think the realignment meeting is even necessary now that VA Pauley is leaving.  He doesn’t think it will go through.  VA Pauley stated it is worth talking about. The vote: All yes. 

 

COUNCIL MEMBER HILLIARD MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MACKEY and motion carried to pay the firemen for January at a cost of $5,728.47 from the Fire Equipment Fund.  The vote: All yes.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FOX and motion carried to allow the Firemen’s Association to sell beer at the Firemen’s Festival as long as they have the proper training and insurance, similar to what was requested in 2015.  The vote: All yes.

 

Council Member Tharp read a letter he composed thanking VA Pauley for his professional commitment.  He stated that he demonstrated a depth of knowledge at every turn that no one here possesses.  He is disappointed that he has tendered his resignation, with all his education and passion for public administration that he was unable to fulfill his commitment to his employment agreement due to circumstances that were outside of his control in some instances.  His employment was as harrowed by some as a chance to move forward and a chance to move beyond some of the problems that have plagued this Village in the past.  He stated VA Pauley was the very best and most knowledgeable VA the Village has ever had.  Council Member Tharp stated he felt the VA’s treatment of the employees, unlike the Mayor’s, has been fair and even handed in most cases.  He discussed mistakes and conflicts.  He believes that every Council Member still supports him.  He feels that VA Pauley is an asset to this Village.  He apologized publically for not speaking up sooner for the way he was treated and if you had been able to fully operate we would have seen better things happen in this Village.  At the end of the letter he asked the VA to reconsider his resignation.  If anyone should resign, it should not be VA Pauley.  He is “proud of the great work you have done here and hope you continue for years to come”.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER FOX MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HILLIARD and motion carried to appoint Jay Lewis as a probationary firefighter pending a physical, background check, and drug screen.  Council Member Godwin asked Chief Colucy how many responding firemen are on the department.  Chief Colucy stated there are 28 and Mr. Lewis will make 29.  Council Member Godwin would like to see the call sheets.  Chief Colucy asked why he would want that.  He has had complaints that we have two or three people that only show up at the festival and then get a turkey at Thanksgiving and a ham at Christmas.  He is not giving a ham to someone that just comes to the festival.  The vote: All yes. 

 

COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FOX and motion carried to approve the quote from Reilly Sweeping for 2016 street sweeping. Initial – April - $2,234, Prior to Festival – May - $1,936, Prior to July 4^th - $1,641, Prior to Labor Day – August - $1,641, Prior to Thanksgiving – November - $1,641. The vote: All yes.

 

Council Member Godwin wanted to say the same thing that Council Member Tharp said concerning VA Pauley.  He stated he did a heck of a job while he was here.  He also wishes that the VA would rescind his resignation.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER HAWK MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER THARP and motion carried to schedule a Finance Committee meeting on April 4^th at 6:00pm for further discussion on a possible income tax increase.  The vote: All yes.

 

Council Member Mackey asked the Mayor what his process would be in hiring a new VA.  The Mayor plans to use the resumes from when VA Pauley was hired.  Council Member Mackey is requesting that the person hired be a professional Village Administrator.  He feels otherwise we will be “screwed”.  He is strongly recommending this.  This is the twenty-first century and he will not accept anything less.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN and motion carried to direct the Fire Chief to start the grant process at a cost of $750 for the writing of the grant.  The vote: All yes.

 

Council Member Tharp asked about the Issue II funding that has been on the agenda for some time.  Mayor Schwab stated that last year we were not prepared in time.  The projects have to be engineered before they can be submitted.  VA Pauley stated you have to have the cash match, it cannot be from a loan.  It was also stated that the Village would not have had the required match for the projects last year.  Mayor Schwab stated that Council needs to examine which project for which they wish to apply and to be prepared.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FOX and motion carried to appoint Dan Klein as interim VA starting March 5^th.  Council Member Mackey asked how long the Mayor has to hire a new VA.  There are no statutes that specify a timetable.  Council Member Mackey stated he likes Dan but what is he going to do for us.  Council Member Tharp stated he is a warm body.  Council Member Fox brought up the fact that the wage was established in 1992 and asked if it should be raised.  The vote: Godwin, no; Hawk, yes; Hilliard, yes; Mackey, yes; Tharp, yes; Fox, yes.  Motion passed.

 

Council Member Tharp stated that an increase should be given to the interim Village Administrator position.  Mayor Schwab stated it was currently an additional $8.17 to his normal wage.  Council Member Tharp stated it should be raised to $25,000 to $30,000 a year.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FOX and motion carried to draw up an ordinance establishing an annual wage of $25,000 for the interim VA.  Council Member Mackey stated he liked Dan and he is a sharp guy.  After sitting here for two years and watching what goes on.  It is a tough job and he would not want to do it.  He asked “Is he going to do $25,000 worth of work?”.  We are paying Rob $75,000 with all his degrees and experience and he is extremely qualified to do his job.  Dan is not really bringing any knowledge to the position and is not going to contribute much more than warming the seat.  Council Member Tharp stated we would pay someone who was just out of school the money.  Council Member Tharp stated Dan has experience in the Village. He might not have all the degrees but I don’t see him having a problem for him to get us from point A to point B.  Council Member Mackey doesn’t expect to pay the next VA the $75,000 that VA Pauley gets without the same qualifications and experience.  The vote: Godwin, no; Hawk, yes; Hilliard, no; Mackey, no, Tharp, yes; Fox, yes.   Mayor Schwab broke the tie with a yes vote stating this is just to create the ordinance and that Council will have another chance to vote on it.

 

Council Member Hilliard stated a resident told him the street light at 319 Needham is coming on and turning off during the night.  It is the one at the end of the street. 

 

"COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE":

Ken Killian stated he was directly involved with the evacuation and wanted to state that everyone was great to work with during the evacuation for the derailment.  He stated that everyone should pat themselves on the back.  Chief Colucy also added that the school also supplied buses for transportation back to the residents’ homes for all that needed it.

 

Chief Colucy reported that a truck had stopped at the Fire Department and donated 1,100 lbs of bacon.  The Fire Department chose to donate 600 lbs. of it to the Fairless Food Cupboard. 

 

Ray Heitger of the Fairless Food Cupboard wished to thank the Fire Department for their donation.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER MACKEY MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER THARP and motion carried to adjourn the meeting at 9:03 p.m.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

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Kris King, Village Clerk-Treasurer

 

 

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Mike Schwab, Mayor